|
The Florida Business Agenda Report:
2023 Weekly Legislative Update
Week 8: April 24-28, 2023 |
|
If what happens in Tallahassee matters to your business, this is your best resource for weekly insight into the 2023 legislative session.
It is Day 53, and there is just one more week before the scheduled end of the 2023 regular session next Friday. Reportedly, the budget could be done tomorrow, well in advance of the 72-hour cooling-off period that must begin on Tuesday for the legislature to end on time. Rules in the House further limit the bills that can be heard in the next week, and the House and Senate are expected to spend all day every day next week on the Floor. The overwhelming majority of bills that pass each session pass in the final days of session so stay tuned. As things start to come in for a landing, below are this week’s activities in Tallahassee. |
|
|
Longtime Chamber- Priority Paycheck Protection Legislation Headed to Governor DeSantis
For over a decade, the Florida Chamber has advocated for increased transparency and accountability for public sector unions. This week, the Florida House took up and passed SB 256, which now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature. Governor DeSantis previously called for and continues to express support for the legislation and therefore the bill is highly likely to get his approval.
The bill provides transparency and accountability around public sector unions by:
- Requiring employees to submit a form acknowledging Florida is a right to work state and union participation is optional;
- Prohibits union dues from being automatically deducted through the paychecks of union members;
- Enhances the role of the Public Employee Relations Commission in certifying and decertifying employee organizations; and
- Increases financial oversight and requires that specified information is shared with members of the organization.
This bill does not apply to law enforcement, correctional officers, and firefighters. Read our full statement with a quote from Florida Chamber President & CEO Mark Wilson following the passage of the bill on Wednesday HERE. |
|
|
Measure to Increase Transparency in Trial Lawyer Advertising Headed to Governor's Desk
This week the House and Senate passed HB 1205 by Representative Alex Andrade and Senator Clay Yarborough, relating to advertisements for legal services. The bill now awaits the Governor’s approval.
The increased transparency around legal advertisements included in HB 1205 prevents misinformation and fear tactics by trial attorneys around prescriptions and medical treatments. Misleading legal advertisements cast a wide net for patients to join class action litigation. These advertisements often feature overdramatized and deceptive language and imagery, leading to misinformed decisions based on fear, and poor health outcomes when someone quits necessary medical treatment. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a study showing the real-life consequences of deceptive trial lawyer advertisements, where 66 individuals faced negative health outcomes after discontinuing a medication after viewing a lawyer advertisement.
Under the requirements in HB 1205, legal advertisements must be transparent at the beginning of the advertisement that it is a paid advertisement for legal services and not a public health service announcement. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of federal logos and may not state that something is “recalled” if it has not been recalled under applicable state or federal regulations. Finally, HB 1205 requires that all legal advertisements include a clear verbal and written statement to “consult your physician before making any decision regarding prescribed medication or medical treatment.” |
|
|
|
| Engage with us at these Upcoming Events: |
|
|
| Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability |
May 11 - 12
Disney's Contemporary Resort |
2023 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit
May 25
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville |
|
|
|
|
2023 Florida Learners to Earners Solution Summit
June 28
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Tampa |
37th Annual Environmental Permitting School
July 18-21
Marco Island |
|
|
|
|
2023 Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit
August 31
Florida Hotel & Conference Center
Orlando |
Florida Chamber Annual Meeting & Future of Florida Forum
October 23-24
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Orlando |
|
|
|
|
Senate Passes Major Changes to Workforce Immigration Requirements, House Bill Readied for Floor
This week, the Florida Legislature fast tracked measures opposed by the Florida Chamber (HB 1617/SB 1718) through the House and Senate related to state-level immigration enforcement. The Senate advanced the bill through its final committee hearing Tuesday and then passed it off the Senate Floor today. The House heard the bill for the first time Monday and then took the rare step of removing the bill from its remaining two committee stops, readying the bill for the Floor. The bills require private employers with more than 25 employees to use the federal E-Verify system, establish penalties for noncompliance, and include other provisions potentially problematic for Florida businesses. The bill is a priority of Governor Ron DeSantis and is highly likely to become law; however, through advocacy efforts of the Florida Chamber and business community at large, the current versions of the bills are a significant improvement from previous iterations of the legislation.
For more information on these immigration bills and the improvements made, click HERE for a message we sent earlier this week to interested parties. |
|
Economic Development Restructuring Passes House, Sent to Senate
Today the House passed HB 5, by Representative Tiffany Esposito, which transfers many of the duties of Enterprise Florida to the re-named Department of Commerce (formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity). The bill maintains the state’s international offices and programs by creating a new direct-support organization, and transfers VISIT FLORIDA and the Sports Foundation from Enterprise Florida as direct-support organizations to Commerce. An amendment in a hearing earlier this week saved a dozen economic development programs and organizations that were repealed in the original bill, while repealing several obsolete or underutilized incentives. Earlier this week, the House also split out the repeal of several sales tax exemptions for film productions into a separate bill to meet constitutional requirements. This bill, HB 7073, failed to make the final House Special Order calendar today and faces several hurdles to make it across the finish line. Finally, the Senate amended SB 1664 earlier this week, which is also ready for the Floor, to largely mirror HB 5. For more information on the restructuring of Florida’s economic development programs and strategy, click HERE. |
|
More Chamber News & Chamber Views
- SB 240, related to workforce education by Senator Travis Hutson, passed off the Senate Floor on Wednesday. SB 240 takes monumental strides to expand work-based learning opportunities through grant programs, employer incentives, and partnerships with local workforce boards. We expect the House to hear the bill early next week.
- The House and Senate advanced their data privacy proposals through their final committees this week and today the Senate passed the bill off the Floor. This year’s bills are significantly better than legislation filed in 2021 and 2022 as they do not include a private right of action and include a narrower definition of which businesses must comply. The Senate earlier this week also addressed concerns on the impact to small businesses that rely on targeted online advertising. More information can be found HERE.
- HB 1021, related to childcare and early learning providers by Representatives Fiona McFarland and Dana Trabulsy, passed off the House Floor earlier today. After being amended through the committee process, this bill has been narrowed to address burdensome regulations and staffing shortages that limit the availability of childcare and ultimately drive-up costs. An affordable and quality childcare system is important to improve school readiness and encourage parents to re-enter the workforce.
- Budget negotiations kicked off on Monday and will continue until every line item is agreed upon. In the Transportation & Economic Development budget silo, the House and Senate have agreed to fund the Job Growth Grant Fund at $75 million and are maintaining current year funding for Space Florida. Both sides have also agreed to zero out the Enterprise Florida budget. Early this afternoon, the House agreed to the Senate position of funding VISIT Florida at $80 million. For the 5-year Transportation Work Program, the House and Senate have agreed to record funding of $13.6 billion. Finally, there has not yet been an agreement on funding the $4 billion requested to fund the Governor’s Moving Florida Forward Plan to speed up 20 congestion relief projects across the state.
- Spotted: Rural County Days, and we enjoyed seeing lots of children at the Capitol Thursday for “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”, the FAU Owls Mens Basketball Team and their trophy as a Final Four team
|
|
Heard In and Around the Capitol
“You’re going to have better transparency, better integrity, better accountability.”- Rep. Dean Black in his closing remarks on HB 1445, commonly referred to as paycheck protection, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used to collect union dues.
“I’ve got employees that will not work because they choose somewhere else to get paid more. That is the free market economy, not the government telling me I have to pay somebody so much.” - Rep. Toby Overdorf in debate on HB 917, which prevents a local government from mandating wages or benefits higher than what is required by federal or state law.
“Anytime you cut taxes you create economic opportunity for other people. Obviously if we can bring the business rent tax in for a landing, that’s going to be a direct impact right back into the economy of the state of Florida.” – Rep. Stan McClain in his closing remarks on the House tax package.
“It’s really remarkable when people work together how much they can accomplish.” -Senate President Kathleen Passidomo talking about her working relationship with House Speaker Paul Renner to get the budget negotiated early. |
|
The Florida Chamber's Florida Business Agenda is guided by our Florida 2030 Blueprint, which outlines our Six Pillars framework, with 39 goals, with the ultimate goal of catapulting Florida from 16th largest economy to 10th largest economy in the world by 2030.
Below is a comprehensive review of legislative activity from Week 8 of the 2023 Legislative Session. |
|
| Improving Florida's Talent Pipeline for a Better Workforce |
|
|
|
| Expands school choice eligibility to all K-12 students while prioritizing families whose household income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level to ensure a child’s zip code does not limit access to a high-quality education that best meets the needs of the child. |
|
|
SB 202: Sen. Corey Simon
Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1. |
|
|
|
HB 1: Rep. Kaylee Tuck
Signed by the Governor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Guidance Services on Academic and Career Planning |
|
|
| Florida's awareness and education for parents and students of all educational opportunities available to them, including on-the-job training, to ensure students are prepared for post-secondary degrees, high-value certifications, or the workforce. |
|
|
SB 196: Sen. Shevrin Jones
Previously passed the Senate Floor 39-0. |
|
|
|
HB 141: Rep. Kristen Arrington
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Increases funding for career and technical education and expands work-based learning opportunities that are linked to local employment. |
|
|
SB 240: Sen. Travis Hutson
Passed the Senate Floor 40-0. |
|
|
|
HB 7051: Rep. Lauren Melo
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship Direct Funding Grant |
|
|
| Creates a new grant to fund apprenticeship/pre apprenticeship programs to assist in preparing our future workforce with on-the-job training. |
|
|
SB 1060: Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
The Senate did not take any action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 461: Rep. Mike Giallombardo
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Determination of Residential Status for Tuition Purposes |
|
|
| Allows time spent in a Florida correctional institution to count toward the residency requirement to receive in-state tuition, which decreases the financial burden to receive an education and reduces recidivism. |
|
|
SB 526: Sen. Rosalind Osgood
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 595: Rep. Jervonte Edmonds
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Child Care and Early Learning Providers |
|
|
| Incentivizes employers to assist employees with access to childcare and chips away at bureaucracy limiting childcare access and driving up costs. |
|
|
SB 990: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 1021: Rep. Fiona McFarland
Passed the House Committee on Health and Human Services 20-0 and passed the House Floor 108-0. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Computer Science Instruction in K-12 Public Schools |
|
|
| Increases access to computer science and technology education and provides opportunities for students to take courses that lead to technology-related industry certifications. |
|
|
SB 780: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 1601: Rep. Karen Gonzalez-Pittman
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Replaces ineffective reading instruction with science-based methods to improve literacy outcomes and creates individual progress monitoring plans for students with substantial reading and math deficiencies. |
|
|
SB 1424: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 7039: Rep. Dana Trabulsy
Previously passed the House Floor 111-0. |
|
|
|
|
| Creates the Florida Scholars Academy to provide high-quality education and greater access to secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities for students in the juvenile justice system. |
|
|
SB 7014: Sen. Jonathan Martin
Previously passed the Senate Floor 39-0. |
|
HB 939: Rep. Berny Jacques
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
| Creating Quality Jobs by Diversifying Florida's Economy |
|
|
|
| Entertainment Industry Tax Credit Program |
|
|
| Creates the Florida First Production Partnership Program to broaden the film, television and digital media industry in Florida, create high wage jobs and encourage the production of family-friendly movies and television. |
|
|
SB 476: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 251: Rep. Dana Trabulsy
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Financial Assistance for Rural Areas of Opportunity |
|
|
| Improves the feasibility for rural communities to access state or federal financial assistance. |
|
|
SB 1628: Sen. Corey Simon
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 413: Rep. Shane Abbott
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Increases the feasibility for assistance grants, regional rural development grants and rural infrastructure funds for rural communities and rural areas of opportunity. |
|
|
SB 1482: Sen. Corey Simon
Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee 19-0 and scheduled to be heard on the Senate Special Order Calendar on 5/2. |
|
|
|
| A House Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Department of Economic Opportunity |
|
|
| Encourages development and job growth in rural communities and provides a documentary stamp tax exemption for small businesses receiving assistance through the Department of Economic Opportunity. |
|
|
|
|
HB 1209: Rep. Jason Shoaf
Passed the House Floor 115-0. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Restructures Florida’s role in economic development by eliminating Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development agency, and some programs while transferring other duties to the re-named Florida Department of Commerce. |
|
|
SB 1664: Sen. Ed Hooper
Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee 20-0. |
|
|
|
HB 5: Tiffany Esposito
Passed the House Floor 108-0. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Transforms how VISIT FLORIDA is funded and operated by requiring VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, to be funded through local tourist development taxes approved by the voters of each jurisdiction to fund marketing for state parks, state forests and rural areas. |
|
|
| A Senate Bill Has Not Been Filed. |
|
|
|
HB 7053: Brad Yeager
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Improving Florida's Infrastructure for Smart Growth and Development |
|
|
|
| Takes an “all of the above” approach to improve Florida’s housing stock by incentivizing the free market, providing additional financing for the state’s existing housing programs, and removing regulatory roadblocks. |
|
|
SB 102: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
Signed by the Governor. |
|
|
|
HB 627: Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera
Laid on the Table, Refer to SB 102. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Taxation of Affordable Housing |
|
|
| Allows local governments to provide property tax exemptions to encourage affordable housing. |
|
|
| A Senate Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
HB 229: Rep. Lindsay Cross
Included in SB 102. |
|
|
|
|
| Residential Building Permits |
|
|
| Reduces permitting times and government bureaucracy, which in turn will improve costs, for residential developments. |
|
|
SB 682: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 671: Rep. Tiffany Esposito
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Local Government Comp Plans |
|
|
| Discourages meritless litigation that needlessly holds up development by requiring the payment of attorney fees to the prevailing party. |
|
|
SB 540: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
Previsouly passed the Senate Floor 29-10. |
|
HB 359: Rep. Wyman Duggan
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Sales Tax Exemption for Renewable Natural Gas Machinery & Equipment |
|
|
| Provides a sales tax exemption for machinery and equipment that is used to develop renewable natural gas. |
|
|
SB 844: Sen. Clay Yarborough
The Senate did not take any action on this bill this week. |
|
| A House Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
|
|
|
| Extends the natural gas fuel tax exemption to continue encouraging the adoption of vehicles that run on natural gas. |
|
|
SB 322: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 529: Rep. Jim Mooney Jr.
The House did not take any action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Renewable Energy Cost Recovery |
|
|
| Creates a mechanism to fund renewable natural gas projects, which will increase energy independence and encourage the development of additional renewable natural gas facilities. |
|
|
SB 1162: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
Passed the Senate Floor 40-0. |
|
HB 821: Rep. Brad Yeager
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Continues the leadership of Autonomous Florida by creating a mechanism for highways to be rated for autonomous vehicle operation and creates the Implementing Solutions from Transportation Research and Evaluating Emerging Technologies Living Lab (I-STREET) at the University of Florida. |
|
|
SB 64: Sen. Ed Hooper
Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee 20-0 and is scheduled on the Senate Special Order Calendar on 5/1. |
|
|
|
HB 425: Rep. Tiffany Esposito
Passed the House Floor 113-0 and is scheduled on the Senate Special Order Calendar on 5/1.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Creates an annual electric vehicle fee that funds state and local transportation projects, similar to the gas tax. |
|
|
SB 1070: Sen. Ed Hooper
Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 19-0 and passed the Senate Floor 39-0. |
|
|
|
| A House Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
|
| Building the Perfect Climate for Business |
|
|
|
| Includes long standing Chamber priorities to improve Florida’s bottom-five lawsuit abuse climate, protect consumers, and prevent frivolous litigation against local businesses. |
|
|
SB 236: Sen. Travis Hutson
Laid on the Table, refer to HB 837. |
|
|
|
HB 837: Rep. Tommy Gregory
Signed by the Governor. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Discrimination in Labor and Employment |
|
|
| Interferes in the employer-employee relationship by prohibiting employers from engaging in certain activities related to wages and benefits. |
|
|
SB 1026: Sen. Linda Stewart
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
| A House Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Repeals Florida’s no-fault Personal Injury Protection system and requires Bodily Injury Protection Auto Insurance. This bill is sponsored by the trial lawyers and does not include necessary bad faith reforms to stem the litigation that will increase by switching to the new system. |
|
|
SB 586: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 429: Rep. Danny Alvarez
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Prohibits assignment of benefits (AOBs) for windshield claims, which increases auto insurance litigation and drives up consumer premiums due to a handful of bad actors abusing the system. |
|
|
SB 1002: Sen. Linda Stewart
Previously passed the Senate Floor 40-0. |
|
|
|
HB 541: Rep. Griff Griffitts
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interferes in employment practices by prohibiting a job creator from requesting or relying on previous wage or salary information to interview, hire, promote or employ an employee. |
|
|
SB 576: Sen. Lauren Book
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 663: Rep. Hillary Cassel
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Asbestos and Silica Claims |
|
|
| Requires claimant to investigate and provide specific evidence to ensure only the companies that caused the exposure to asbestos are paying the claim. |
|
|
SB 1260: Sen. Jay Trumbull
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 755: Rep. Tom Fabricio
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Increases the statutory damage cap for lawsuits against governmental entities which increases the liability of taxpayers. |
|
|
SB 604: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 401: Rep. Mike Beltran
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Creates a Florida Department of Labor and establishes new layers of governmental bureaucracy that interfere in the employer-employee relationship. |
|
|
SB 1598: Sen. Victor Torres, Jr.
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 137: Rep. Angie Nixon
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Requires unitary combined reporting when filing corporate income taxes, which may capture income from subsidiaries regardless of the location or amount of business transacted in the state. |
|
|
SB 1144: Sen. Geraldine Thompson
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 769: Rep. Anna Eskamani
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Allows the consideration of all parties at fault when determining damages, including those that committed an intentional act, and creates a rebuttable presumption for multi-family housing units against liability if they meet certain safety and security measures. |
|
|
SB 1274: Sen. Colleen Burton
Included in Provisions of SB 236. |
|
|
|
HB 1165: Rep. Wyman Duggan
Included in Provisions of HB 837. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Claims Against Long-Term Care Facilities |
|
|
| Limits frivolous litigation against long-term care facilities by instituting standards that must be met to file a lawsuit and provides additional protections for facilities following the law. |
|
|
SB 1304: Sen. Colleen Burton
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 1029: Rep. Randy Maggard
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Communications Services Tax |
|
|
| Reduces the state Communications Services Tax, which when combined with the local communications services tax is more than twice the state sales tax, in order to make Florida more competitive and reduce costs on consumers. |
|
|
SB 1432: Sen. Jay Trumbull
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 1153: Rep. Kevin Steele
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Provides for transparency and consumer protections around hedge funds and other financiers investing in Florida lawsuits for economic gain. |
|
|
SB 1612: Sen. Clay Yarborough
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 1447: Rep. Toby Overdorf
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Allows government intrusion into the private marketplace by capping rent increases and security deposits for communities with adults aged 55 or older. |
|
|
SB 1698: Sen. Shevrin Jones
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 1261: Rep. Ashley Gantt
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Decreases competitiveness in Florida’s property insurance market by disregarding free market principles, as well as provides for additional avenues for filing lawsuits. |
|
|
SB 1340: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 1431: Rep. Spencer Roach
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Establishes new requirements on Florida employers that collect or use data. |
|
|
SB 262 Sen. Jennifer Bradley
Passed the Senate Floor 38-0. |
|
|
|
HB 1547: Rep. Fiona McFarland
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Creates a new mandate on employers relating to heat safety, ignoring the free market and that employers already implement safety programs to protect their employees. |
|
|
SB 706: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 903: Rep. Mike Gottlieb
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Duty of Care Regarding Commercial Motor Vehicles |
|
|
| Provides reasonable liability protections for companies who own or lease commercial vehicles and were in compliance with federal safety standards at the time of purchase. |
|
|
| A Senate Bill has not been filed. |
|
|
|
HB 7055: Rep. Randy Maggard
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Includes several Florida Chamber priorities that provide targeted tax relief to Florida’s local businesses and consumers. |
|
|
SB 7062: Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 17-0. |
|
|
|
HB 7063: Rep. Stan McClain
Passed the House Floor 114-0. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wage and Employment Benefits |
|
|
| Prohibits local governments from requiring higher wages and benefits for private businesses than what is provided for in state or federal law. |
|
|
| A Senate Bill has not been filed. |
|
|
|
HB 917: Rep. Brad Yeager
Passed the House Commerce Committee 12-5 and Placed on House Special Order Calendar for 4/28. |
|
|
|
|
| Making Government and Civics more Efficient and Effective |
|
|
|
| Creates transparency and accountability in the collection of union dues for certain public sector employees. |
|
|
SB 256: Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
Passed the House Floor 72-44. |
|
|
|
HB 1445: Rep. Dean Black
Laid on the table, refer to SB 256. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Constitutional Amendments |
|
|
| Protects Florida’s foundational document by proposing to increase the threshold of voter approval to further amend the State Constitution. |
|
|
SB 1410: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 129: Rep. Rick Roth
Passed the House Floor 74-35. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Prevents burdensome regulations by requiring local governments to adopt a business impact statement before the adoption of an ordinance and awards attorney fees if it is found by the courts that a local ordinance is arbitrary or unreasonable, or that the ordinance is prohibited by law. |
|
|
SB 170: Sen. Jay Trumbull
Previously passed the Senate Floor 20-11. |
|
|
|
HB 1515: Rep. Robbie Brackett
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Administrative Procedures Act |
|
|
| Promotes additional transparency around regulatory rulemaking and protects small businesses from unelected bureaucrats proposing these rules. |
|
|
SB 742: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
HB 713: Rep. Fiona McFarland
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Preemption of Recyclable and Polystyrene Materials |
|
|
| Removes a Chamber-backed preemption on local ordinances relating to polystyrene products, thereby furthering a patchwork regulatory environment for businesses. |
|
|
SB 498: Sen. Linda Stewart
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
| A House Bill Has Not Been Filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Improves efficiencies at the local government level by ensuring businesses are paid promptly for completed public construction projects. |
|
|
SB 346: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
Passed the Senate Floor 36-0. |
|
HB 383: Rep. Griff Griffitts
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Decreases barriers to employment and increases job opportunities available to Floridians by streamlining the occupational licensing process and recognizing reciprocity with licenses issued in other states. |
|
|
SB 1364: Sen. Jay Collins
Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee 20-0. |
|
|
|
HB 1333: Rep. Traci Koster
Passed the House Commerce Committee 18-0. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Increases the role of Florida’s business community in enforcing immigration law. |
|
|
SB 1718: Sen. Blaise Ingoglia
Passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee 14-6 and Passed the Senate Floor 27-10. |
|
|
|
HB 1617: Rep. Kiyan Michael
Passed the House Commerce Committee 13-5.
|
|
|
| Championing Florida's Quality of Life |
|
|
|
| Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility |
|
|
| Increases the Florida Kidcare income eligibility threshold to reduce fiscal cliffs and facilitate a pathway for families toward economic self-sufficiency. |
|
|
SB 246: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 121: Rep. Robin Bartleman & HB 1245: Rep. Chip LaMarca
HB 121 Previously Passed the House Floor 105-0. |
|
|
|
|
| Damages Recoverable in Wrongful Death Actions |
|
|
| Drives up medical malpractice insurance rates by broadening the scope of who is allowed to recover damages in medical negligence claims. |
|
|
SB 690: Sen. Lauren Book
The Senate did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
HB 1435: Rep. Johanna Lopez
The House did not take action on this bill this week. |
|
|
|
|
| Truth in Legal Advertising |
|
|
| Cracks down on misleading lawsuit advertisements around medical services and prescription drugs. Current scare tactics used by billboard attorneys have led to Floridians abandoning their prescribed/recommended treatments, thus resulting in reduced health outcomes. |
|
|
SB 1246: Sen. Clay Yarborough
Substituted for HB 1205. |
|
|
|
HB 1205: Rep. Alex Andrade
Passed the House Floor 79-37 and Passed the Senate Floor 26-11. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Florida Chamber of Commerce l www.FLChamber.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-w1920.jpg){kind=logo}
